League Preview: Bohemians -v- Cork City

Keith Long and John Caulfield are two managers whose sides are in very good form at the moment with Cork unbeaten in their last six league games since an away defeat to Dundalk and the Gypsies enjoying their own good run of form unbeaten in seven of their last eight games, a run which includes seven clean sheets and twenty seven goals.

This impressive run has seen the Dalymount side remain in the hunt for FAI Cup glory with a quarter-final against Derry to come next week and it has also allowed them to close the gap on St. Pats in 5th to just three points.

Recently, they also had the honour of being the first Irish side to win a round in the Irn Bru Cup defeating Peterhead 1-0 and will now play Sutton United next month

Although his side are enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment Keith Long as ever is not getting carried away and is expecting as tough a test as ever from Cork City tomorrow evening.

"We desperately hope that this is not our final game against them this season. But we're not thinking any further ahead than tomorrow's game." said Long as he looked forward to this week’s game.

"They are champions, we are the underdogs. Cork are a strong, well-organised, talented team with some outstanding players. We will have to play to our maximum to get a result but if we can manage to do that, we know that they are capable.

"We have been on a great run of form recently, losing only once way to Dundalk. This run has provided the players with great confidence and belief. Our performances have been really pleasing and we have played some good attacking football.

"But the most impressive aspect has been the players' focus, determination and attitude towards every game. Being able to pick a settled team has also been very helpful and obviously results have meant changes have been kept to a minimum."

Ryan Masterson and Daniel Grant are side lined for the home side and long term absentee Ryan Swan remains out.

CORK CITY

John Caulfield’s side currently sit in second place and trail Dundalk by six points and with just six league games remaining need to make sure they are ready to capitalise on any slip at all by their title rivals in the weeks ahead.

A disappointing home defeat to Sligo Rovers and a draw against St. Pats has seen Cork slip six points behind Dundalk and with such few league games remaining, retaining the FAI cup seems likely to be the Leesiders best chance of silverware this season. They will take confidence from the fact that they have a 100% record against tomorrow evening’s opponents this season as they travel to Dalymount Park.

“Bohs are a good team, they are always competitive and tough and we’ve seen with their recent results they are well able to handle themselves so we expect a tough game” said defender Aaron Barry ahead of the fixture.

“Keith and Trevor have done a great job at Bohs. They have very good players and they are always very tough opponents. It is the time of the season where you have to be at your best, and we are preparing for the game to see if we can get the three points,” said manager John Caulfield as he looked ahead to the game.

“Bohs are on a great run and they are still in the cup as well, so they have everything to play for. From our point of view, we are trying to close the gap and we want to see if we can pick up the three points.”

Colm Horgan remains side lined for the league champions along with Johnny Dunleavy and Sean McLoughlin who came off early on for the Ireland U21’s earlier in the week.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Cork City have a 100% record against Bohs so far this season with 3-0 and 1-0 victories at Turners Cross as well as a 2-0 victory at Dalymount Park in June.

A win for Bohs will see them stretch their winning run to seven games in all competitions for the first time in ten years.

Shane Supple will be looking for his seventh clean sheet in a row in this tough fixture against Cork City.

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